Canada Launches Government‑Backed EPS Recycling Scale‑up

On 30 November 2021, the Government of Canada announced a CA $3.5 million investment via Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to support Montréal-based Polystyvert—backing its transition from demonstration to full commercial-scale polystyrene recycling (Canada).

Polystyvert’s technology uses a solvent-based dissolution and purification system to separate EPS (and other polystyrene waste) from contaminants, then repolymerises it into food-grade resin. This funding builds on prior investment, enabling final development steps toward Canada’s first industrial-scale polystyrene recycling plant (Canada).

Technology and system design

• Solvent dissolution selectively purifies mixed EPS waste, including packaging and foodservice materials.
• Contaminants are filtered during separation and precipitation stages.
• The purified resin matches the quality of virgin EPS and ABS, enabling integration into existing downstream value chains .
• SDTC funding contributes to scaling the process from demo plant to full production facility.

Strategic relevance

The support reflects a clear policy intent: EPS, often excluded from curbside programs, can be reintegrated into circular systems when industry, technology, and government align. The funding:

• Accelerates the shift from pilot-project recycling to industrial implementation;
• Promotes food-grade recycled resin, confirming technical robustness;
• Demonstrates how public backing can accelerate private-sector circular innovation;
• Lays groundwork for future commercial plant activation in Canada (Canada, newswire.ca).

FACT BOX

Source:
Government of Canada news release, “Government of Canada supports leading‑edge company specializing in polystyrene recycling that helps protect the environment” (30 Nov 2021) (Canada, newswire.ca, Resource-Recycling)